Favorite Facial Essence

Have you quit using a toner because it has stripped your skin dry? Are you left with irritated skin and feel it’s just not worth it? What’s the point of a toner anyway, is it actually a necessary skincare step? Well I’m glad you asked, as I have some things you might like to know! Did you know that conventional toners can strip the skin of essential oils and leave you feeling tight and irritated? This is because most of them are formulated with extremely high amounts of drying forms of alcohol, plus many contain unhealthy preservatives like parabens. But not all alcohols are the same, and just because an ingredient says it contains alcohol does not mean it will be drying. Along with alcohol there is another myth that witch hazel is also a very drying ingredient. So let’s unpack these two myths first, then learn about a new toner/essence on the green beauty scene.

Myth #1 – All alcohol ingredients are drying and harmful.

There are many things to take into consideration with alcohol ingredients in skincare. First, there are two main types of alcohols, those that are solvent based, the ones that dissolve oils, and then there are fatty alcohols. Solvent based alcohols dissolve oil, so they can help to clear clogged pores, but they can also be very drying if there is a large percentage of alcohol in the product. Fatty alcohols perform very differently; they are usually derived from palm or coconut oils and they are very nourishing to the skin. They are also used as emulsifiers. Alcohol is known to help other ingredients penetrate into the skin, which is a great benefit to skincare. So if you have concerns, look at the ingredient list to discover the type of alcohol first, fatty or solvent, and then also work out how far up the list to know how large a percentage of it is in that product. You can also contact the company for more information.

Myth #2 – Witch Hazel is a very drying ingredient.

Sadly, most drug store toners, and those we remember from years ago, are just sold as witch hazel. But those toners do not contain JUST witch hazel, they also contain a huge amount of a solvent type alcohol which was very drying on everyone’s skin. So when you say ‘witch hazel’ this is usually the picture that immediately comes to most minds with this negative connotation. But it is simply NOT the whole story of witch hazel. Witch hazel is a shrub that grows in North America, and has been used for centuries to help skin inflammation and irritation. It is a soothing ingredient and is very helpful for acne, skin irritations, and even burns. So pure forms of witch hazel are not drying and aggravating as many of us were initially taught.

So why use a facial toner?

Let’s break it down a little – Here’s what a toner is and does for your skin:

• Toners help balance your skins natural pH levels, especially after cleansing, which can alter your skin to be more alkaline. A toner tends to be more acidic, thus balancing out the pH levels.
• Our skin is like a dry sponge, so using a toner helps the skin absorb other products better when damp and hydrated.
• Toners actually make your serums and moisturizers work more effectively, helping them spread and penetrate better into the skin!
• Toners also help to remove any residue from dirt, makeup, or clogged pores left after cleansing. It’s a double duty hitter!

So now we know more about alcohol, witch hazel, and why we need toners, what toner do you recommend, Charity? I’m glad you asked! The best of the best in clean beauty skincare is now available in the shape of a beautiful white, glass bottle with some amazing goodness inside. Introducing the newest member of the Crunchi skincare line, Clarilight facial essence. It’s not just a toner, nor does it strip or dry the skin like traditional, heavy alcohol laden toners do. Let’s find out what makes this not just a toner, but also part serum!

CLARILIGHT™ Facial Essence

This essence works to tone, hydrate, and revitalize your skin, removing impurities without stripping your skin’s moisture barrier. This powerful essence works to enhance the performance of your skincare, leaving your skin feeling refreshed. And I absolutely LOVE this product and cannot recommend it enough!!!

• Birch – creates an even, glowing complexion

• Willow – improves the appearance of skin tone and radiance

• Fruit/Plant Extracts – provides a natural source of alpha hydroxy acids (AHA)

• Hyaluronic Acid – more on this below! It delivers intense hydration

• Lavender & Geranium – provide relaxing & mood elevating scents (very mild)

• Green Tea Extracts– provides powerful antioxidant activity to help promote beautiful skin

• Aloe – soothes sensitive skin

• Witch Hazel Water – we now know this ingredient is a benefit and not to be feared! And does great things for cleansing the skin and calming.

This is probably my favorite skincare product and one I didn’t know I needed!! It has made a huge difference in my skin by adding more hydration, but not making me more oily. The appearance of my pores and fine lines are reducing and diminishing, and I feel overall more hydrated and the surface of my skin feels smoother.

Clarilight Facial Essence gently removes impurities but also works to lock in moisture and deposit many beneficial ingredients for a glowing complexion. Clarilight​ also preps the skin to effectively soak up the skin-loving ingredients of additional skincare products and create a beautiful base for flawless makeup application. With Clarilight you get the benefits of both a toner and a serum that works great for all skin types! Dry skin ladies are loving the hydrating ingredients, especially hyaluronic acid!

Hyaluronic Acid = Hydration

Hyaluronic Acid is already naturally occurring in our bodies. It is a molecule that can hold 1,000 times it’s weight in water molecules. It has amazing properties that help promote healthy skin and the appearance of youth! Get me a bottle of this stuff! Oh wait, I have one! 😉

Let’s take a look at the skin benefits of Hyaluronic Acid:

• Hydration – It can deeply penetrate the skin, giving the skin’s cells a big drink of water to increase hydration, essential to the health of our skin.

• Humectant – hyaluronic acid is a humectant, meaning that it attracts water and holds onto it like a sponge. Then allows that water to keep replenishing the water loss of skin cells throughout the day. Other humectants are sorbitol, a sugar cane alcohol and propanediol (both are ingredients in Clarilight too!).

• Enhances the Lipid Barrier – our skin’s natural defense, to protect from toxins or other harmful elements, is our lipid barrier. As we age and face environmental stressors, it can deteriorate. That’s where hyaluronic acid comes in. It strengthens the skin’s lipid barrier by locking in moisture to keep the hydration sealed inside our skin’s epidermis.

• Appearance of Plumper Skin – hyaluronic acid cannot increase your elastin, but it’s plumping ability can make it appear that your skin is fuller and less saggy. It can also decrease the appearance of fine line and wrinkles and help increase the appearance of the smoothness of your skin.

Note: Sodium Hyaluronate is a derivative of Hyaluronic Acid with the same benefits but has a smaller molecular structure to penetrate deeper into the skin. This is an ingredient in Crunchi’s Daylight daytime moisturizer.

Perfect Skincare Routine

I struggled to use any skincare without breaking out before I discovered Crunchi . Most conventional skincare was filled with a bunch of cheap junk and harmful ingredients that were wreaking havoc with my skin and causing either severe oil stripping or causing my skin to produce too much grease. I searched for years and finally found some facial oils I could use that helped. But I wasn’t really seeing the results I see now with just those oils alone. The mixture of botanical extracts, hylauronic acids, natural alpha-hydroxy acids, and oils rich in omega fatty acids found in Crunchi’s skincare line has done wonders for my skin!

Blessings,